Barlaser – who turned 21 yesterday – could make his debut for the Railwaymen against Wycombe Wanderers at Gresty Road tomorrow.

The former England Under-18 international has made a handful of first-team appearances for the Magpies, the last of which came against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup in August.

He celebrated his birthday by scoring twice in United Under-23s’ 4-0 win against Burnley, a result which put Newcastle’s second string well on course to qualify for the last 16 of the Premier League Cup.

Barlaser links up with a Crewe side sitting twentieth in the fourth tier, six points clear of the relegation zone ahead of the visit of promotion-chasing Wycombe.